In late 2018, long-time collaborators Carlos Niño & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson flew to Chicago to participate in the album release performance of Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings. The night afterward, International Anthem hosted a performance for the duo at our Chicago HQ. At the conclusion of their 44-minute improvised set that night, Carlos spontaneously dubbed the piece “Chicago Waves.” His proclamation gave us the distinct impression that the previous days spent in South Shore (& many commutes along Lake Shore Drive) had imprinted the deep blue vastness of early-Winter Lake Michigan into Carlos & Miguel’s consciousness, and thus, into the spirit of the luminous music they created that night. We at IARC are happy to share this recording with the world in a time when peace-bringing sound and a sweet memory of live music, sparkling inside the collective breath of community in communal space, has the potential to provide the utmost nourishment.
Chicago Waves by Carlos Niño & Miguel Atwood-Ferguson